Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art: A Must-See for Art Lovers
Chicago is a city that is known for its rich art and cultural scene, with a tonne of world-famous museums and galleries to explore during your visit. One that is a real must-visit for art lovers out there is the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA).
Located in downtown Chicago as our hotel, the museum is home to some of the most eye-catching and unique pieces of art in the USA and is an easy spot to get lost in for an hour or three.
Keep scrolling to find out everything you need to know about this famous attraction…
What is the Museum of Contemporary Art?
The Museum of Contemporary Art is one of the largest contemporary art museums in the world. Founded in 1967, it is known for its extensive collection of contemporary art from across the globe.
The purpose-built space has ever-changing exhibitions and with a combination of an impressive permanent collection as well as loans from the world’s greatest collections, it is described as a ‘challenging but compelling gem for lovers of post-WW2 art’.
What kind of art does the Museum of Contemporary Art showcase?
The Museum of Contemporary Art showcases work from the 1920s through to the present day in every medium including painting, video, sculpture, installations, photography, film, performance and interdisciplinary projects. There is also a program of temporary exhibitions which means there is always something new to see at the museum.
The MCA’s collection includes works made after 1945 and includes art movements such as surrealism, pop, minimalism, conceptualism and postmodernism. Some of the artists featured in the collection include Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock, Jasper Johns, Robert Rauschenberg and Cindy Sherman.
How much does the Museum of Contemporary Art cost to enter?
The museum’s suggested admissions are $15 for adults and $8 for students, teachers and seniors. Entry is free for MCA members as well as those who are under the age of 18. However, there are certain days when the museum offers free admission to everyone, so it is definitely worth checking the website before you go.
The MCA’s opening hours are as follows:
Monday: closed
Tuesday: 10am – 9pm
Wednesday – Sunday: 10am – 5pm
How do you get to the Museum of Contemporary Art?
The museum is located in the Loop area of downtown Chicago and is easily accessible by public transport. It is also within walking distance of some of the city’s other famous landmarks such as Millennium Park and The Art Institute of Chicago.
You can get to the Museum of Contemporary Art from Freehand Chicago as follows:
- Walk: 13-minute walk
- Taxi – 5-minute drive
- Bus – Walk 1 minute from Freehand Chicago to Ohio & State bus stop, catch the 125 Water Tower bus and get off at Mies Van Der Rohe & Pearson stop. It is a 1-minute walk from here.
- Rail: Walk 2 minutes from Freehand Chicago to Grand rail stop, catch the Red Line to Howard and get off at the Chicago stop. It is a 7-minute walk from here.
